The Public Domain B

Department of Political Science and International Studies, School of Government and Society

College of Social Sciences

Details

Code 16802

Level of study Third/Final year

Credit value 10

Semester 2

Pre-requisite modules None

Other pre-requisites Co-requisite - The Public Domain A - 16801

Module description

This module explores the nature and scope of the public domain at the start of the twenty first century. It will consider the concept of the public realm and highlight how the changing boundary between public and private structures large areas of social life. The module will be in two parts. 1) Drawing on social theory, the opening lectures will explore changing definitions of the public sphere and the public realm in modernity; counterposing them to the notion of the private, and the growth of the market. 2) The second part of the course will explore changing conceptions of the public domain through a number of case studies, for example: public space, forms of media, transport policies, the environment, public-private partnerships, the philosophy underlying the public sector. Whilst centred on a sociological approach, the module will draw on aspects of other disciplines, most notably political theory, social policy, history and philosophy.